Marcus Riby-Smith

Associate, IP Solicitor
London, EIP Europe LLP


Marcus is a Solicitor in EIP Legal whose practice focuses on contentious IP matters. He has experience in representing clients before the County Courts, High Court and the CJEU relating to a range of issues including patent infringement, the patentability of stem cells and the judicial review of regulatory authority decisions on behalf of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Marcus also has experience in managing the trademark portfolios of various national and international brands.

Prior to joining EIP Marcus worked in the London and Dubai offices of an international law firm in their Intellectual Property and Technology group. In addition to his law degree Marcus has a BSc (Hons) degree in biotechnology from the University of Pretoria. Before moving into the legal sphere Marcus worked for five years within the pharmaceutical market research sector developing and managing national and international projects in various medical fields.

Experience

  • Acting for Novo Nordisk in a successful action to revoke a patent held by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. The revoked patent sought to cover genetically modified mice which Regeneron claimed had been infringed by a transgenic mouse research platform employed by Novo Nordisk on licence from Kymab Limited.
  • Acting for Blue Bio Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Abba Pharma Ltd. in an action against the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) relating to unregistered "health supplements".
  • Acting for International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) in its pursuit of European patent protection regarding its novel stem cell-based therapies.

Published articles

  • 21 October 2015
    World Trademark Review Daily, General Court: English principle of extended passing off is compatible with CTM regime

Education and qualifications

 

  • 2012 — 2013
    LPC, University of Law
  • 2008 — 2011
    LLB Laws, Birkbeck, University of London
  • 2003 — 2007
    BSc (Hons) Biotechnology, University of Pretoria

Career history

  • 2015 — present
    Associate, EIP
  • 2013 — 2015
    Trainee Solicitor, DLA Piper
  • 2010 — 2012
    Research Executive, Kantar Health
  • 2008 — 2010
    Project Manager, Medical Marketing Research Group

Awards and recognition

  • Academic Colours for BSc (Hons)

Languages spoken

  • Afrikaans (Fluent)
  • German (Conversational)
  • Dutch (Basic)
  • Flemish (Basic)